It started out as a very small party in the House Democratic caucus room when then-House Speaker Tom Ritter invited some friends over to sip some wine.

But the party eventually outgrew the second-floor room at the state Capitol, and now Red Wine Night has an official name as a major annual event that attracts hundreds of movers and shakers to a huge party.

This year's party, sponsored by the law and lobbying firm of Brown Rudnick LLC where Ritter oversees the Hartford operation, will be Thursday night at the Bond Ballroom near the state Capitol - moving back to its familiar location after switching briefly to the Marriott Downtown Hartford. The event starts at 6 p.m. on a day when the House is in session.

All legislators and staff members are invited, and the legislative bulletin has some detailed legalese from the general statutes to explain the event: "Red Wine Night is permissible under Connecticut ethics laws as a 'legislative reception' pursuant to C.G.S Section 1-91 subsection (g) (10) and, pursuant to C.G.S. Section 1-96d, this event is not reasonably expected to be reportable pursuant to subsection (e) of section 1-96.''